Cytological evaluation of cervical lymphadenopathy in a tertiary care centre, Govt. Medical College Kathua: Two year study

Abstract

FNAC is a well-established, reliable, quick and minimally invasive method of diagnosis in palpable masses at various sites. In developing countries like India where tuberculosis is the commonest cause of lymphadenopathy, FNAC becomes much more important tool in diagnosing the cervical lymph nodes. The present study was carried out to describe the cytomorphological patterns of cervical lymph nodes and its utility in establishing a diagnosis. All lymph node aspirates done in cytology laboratory of our department over a period of two years [September 2019 to August 2021] were included in the study. Of the total 169 cases, 68 were diagnosed as non- specific reactive lymphadenitis, 38 tubercular lymphadenitis, 23 as metastatic carcinoma, 22 acute suppurative lymphadenitis, 08 granulomatous lymphadenitis, 6 non-Hodgkins lymphoma, 01 each case of Hodgkins lymphoma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, Kimuras disease & Rosai Dorfman disease. Fine needle aspiration can be used as first line of investigation for evaluating patients with lymphadenopathy which has proven clinical value, diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity & specificity.